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cybershow20.readme
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Short: Picture viewer (incl.PCD) for CybGfx&AGA
Author: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
Uploader: hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de (Helmut Hoffmann)
Type: gfx/board
CyberShow Version 2.0 (c) by Helmut Hoffmann 1995
=========
This is an universal shareware picture viewer (incl. PhotoCD) and
converter which can
* display images in TrueColor/HighColor in Cybergraphic windows on
a Workbench with at least 15Bit color depths
* display images in reduced color (upto 256 colors) on any WB screen,
including AGA, ECS, OCS and usually WB-Emu graphic board screens
as well (e.g. EGS-Emu, Cyber-Emu, ...)
New: + now with massively enhanced comfort (scrolling during preloading,
scrollbars, faster scrolling, keyboard control, menues)
+ now with function to go back to previous pictures as well
+ new functions (picture information window, fast direct transfers)
+ now with optional fast downscaled loading (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1)
+ now with save functions for many 24Bit formats
Supported picture file formats for loading:
1) IFF-ILBM (all standard formats 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8, 24Bit)
2) PhotoCD (Base format 768x512 or 512x768 (portrait); linear 24Bit RGB)
3) JPeg (color and greyscale)
4) PPM/PGM/PBM (P1&P4 b&w, P5 grey, P6 color)
5) QRT (also known as dump format by PD raytracers as POV-Ray)
6) Targa (RLE compr.&uncompr. 24Bit, 1Bit, 8Bit grey/Colormap; incl. interleaved)
7) PCX (compr.&uncompr. EGA1-4Bit, VGA 8Bit grey/Colormap and 24Bit)
8) BMP (uncompr. formats for 24Bit RGB and 1Bit, 4Bit or 8Bit Colormap)
9) TIF (packbit-compr./uncompr. Motorola formats 24Bit RGB, 1-8Bit grey/Colormap)
10) EGS7.x window icons
11) DEEP (compr.&uncompr. IFF-DEEP 24Bit and 32Bit formats)
12) YUV (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
13) VLAB raw (color 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and greyscale)
14) RGB (IFF-RGB: RGB8 and RGBN compressed; RGB5 uncompressed)
15) HHsYUVSq sequence format (sequential or random access)
16) IFF-PBM (DPII) format
17) ACBM (IFF-ACBM: 1 to 8Bit, EHB, HAM6, HAM8)
18) FBM (8Bit grey/Colormap and 24Bit)
19) Sun raster (uncompressed formats for 1Bit, 8Bit grey/ColorMap and 24Bit)
20) MacPaint (b&w compressed 1Bit format; datafork only)
21) HHsXRL formats (1-8Bit ColorMap incl. HAM6/8, 8Bit grey, 24Bit RGB compressed)
and all picture and animation DataType formats under OS3.x.
For animation formats (HHsYUVSq and animation datatypes) the first frame is shown
(for playback of HHsYUVSq animations you can use my freeware program CyberTVPlayer).
Please note: The GIF format is not internally supported for legal reasons, but
due to the DataType support GIF loading should be possible if you have a
suitable DataType (with a fast GIF DataType loading is usually still faster
than with many other viewers which directly support GIF!).
Supported picture file formats for saving:
1) IFF-ILBM 24Bit (compressed and uncompressed)
2) IFF-DEEP 24Bit (uncompressed)
This format is used e.g. by TVPaint or XiPaint
3) JPeg (variable compression rates)
4) PPM-P6
This format is used by the PBM image processing software
5) QRT
6) Targa 24Bit (compressed and uncompressed)
7) HHsXRL TC24 format (compressed lossless and lossy)
This format is esp. designed for raytracing pictures, which should be
compressed lossless or with nearly invisible losses. Compression is usually
better than IFF-ILBM or Targa compression.
Highlights of CyberShow: Why should you use this viewer
+ All loading functions (except JPeg: This software is based in part on the work
of the independent JPeg Group) have been written in Assembler and optimised for
extremely high speed. Loading will usually be upto 5 times faster than with
comparable viewers... An exception to this is the JPeg format, which is
written in C and based on the usual code, so that it will be about the same
speed as other viewers.
+ Automatic preloading: The next picture is loaded while you view the current
picture; you can now also scroll the picture or use other functions during
preloading of the next picture; this reduces waiting time to a minimum
+ Supports true color viewing on Cybergraphic public screens of at least 15Bit
color depths
+ Supports reduced color viewing on screens with 2 to 256 colors, including
most kind of WB emulations on graphic boards. A special color selection
scheme is used for good quality and good speed.
+ Pictures can be scrolled (with cursor keys or scrollbars) in their
resizeable windows.
+ Support of nearly all commonly used image formats (incl. PhotoCD) and
additional DataTypes for even more formats
+ Can view single files, group of files (specified by a pattern) and
even directory trees (automatic search of subdirectories).
Images will be shown in alphabetical order (ordered by complete path name).
+ Optional downscaled loading for faster access
+ Can go back to previous images as well
+ Information window for picture can be opened including name, dimensions,
file type and number of frames (for animations)
+ Fast direct transfer of images to famous image processing and painting
programs (currently ImageFX, XiPaint and ArtEffect/PicoPainter are supported;
transfers to other programs could be included if more developers/dealers
would support me)
+ Save function to convert pictures into some 24Bit file formats (JPeg, IFF, ...)
+ ...
(More to come if enough users register: Possible future expansions e.g.
+ include a slideshow mode with transition effects
+ zooming functions for magnification or downscaling)
Using instructions
==================
For start from CLI you can specify a parameter with the picture path
including a pattern or file name (e.g. CyberShow CD1:Photo_CD/Images/#?pcd).
For start from Workbench no parameter can currently be selected.
Instead a requester will appear and ask you to select the directory
and (optional) a pattern or file name.
In any case subdirectories will be searched automatically if you
don't restrict searching by a pattern to one directory.
Default is to load pictures in full size. With the "Scaled-Loading" menue
you can select to load all pictures in 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 of their original
size. For many file formats this downscaled loading will be significantly
faster. Please note that the pictures will be in small form in memory, thus
save or transfer operations will save or transfer the images in small form.
To advance to the next picture use the "Next Picture" menu entry
(Shortcut Amiga N) or press the close button of the picture window.
During displaying the next picture will already be loaded. Since version
2.0 you can now scroll or resize the window or select another function
while the next picture is preloaded (due to technical restrictions of some
file formats this is partially not available if pictures are not stored
line by line, e.g. FBM24, ACBM, DataTypes, vertical PCD images, YUV, VLB,
HHsYUVSq; during the color conversion phase you can still scroll and this
phase is often longer than the loading time unless you load from floppy disk).
Scrolling can now be performed with cursor keys or the scroll bars.
You can also go back to previous pictures with the "Previous Picture"
menu entry (Shortcut Amiga P).
For the currently displayed picture you can get an information requester
by selecting the "Picture Info" menu item (Shortcut Amiga I). It includes
the name, dimensions, file format and number of frames (for animations).
The file format string often includes the color depths or other variation
informations as well. For pictures loaded with any DataType, the file
type is "DTxx" with xx being the color depth. For animations loaded with
DataType the file type is "DHxx".
You can quit the program with the "Quit" menu item in the picture windows,
by pressing Ctrl-C in the CLI or sending a Ctrl-C signal to the task.
The "About" menu function gives an information requester (which includes
the personal registration information if you are a registered user with
a correctly installed keyfile).
Fast direct transfer and saving/conversion (not available in demo version):
You can directly transfer the image in full 24Bit quality very fast to
important image processing and painting programs (see transfer menu).
Currently supported applications: ImageFX, XiPaint and ArtEffect/PicoPainter
Transfers should at least be possible to ImageFX 1.5/1.6, ImageFX 2.x,
EGS-ImageFX, XiPaint 3.x, all versions of ArtEffect and PicoPainter 1.3.
For ArtEffect/PicoPainter you can transfer the image into a picture
project window or into a brush.
Please note that pictures will always be transferred in their loaded
size. If you have the downscaled loading selected, the pictures will
be transferred in small form.
The same restrictions apply to the save functions which can be used to
convert the currently loaded image into one of several formats (see
above for list of supported save formats). All pictures are saved as
24Bit images. This is not dependent on the screenmode. The size which
has been used for loading will be the size in which it is saved. For
JPeg saving you can select the quality between 50% and 95% in 5% steps
with a sub menu.
Problems with loading specific file formats?
If you have difficulties viewing a picture in one of the supported
file formats (or DataTypes) and you are sure that you have enough
memory left, check the following:
a) File systems: Some PD/ShareWare/Commercial add-on or replacement
file systems are buggy (e.g. they do not support some rarely used
DOS functions properly). Try to copy the picture to a standard
device (e.g. RAM:) and to view it from there. If this works, you
know that your specific file system is buggy. I really reccommend
to only use official Commodore file systems (e.g. the AmigaOS3.1
CD-Filesystem) in case of difficulties.
b) DataTypes: Some DataTypes are instable and can crash on certain
pictures with odd dimensions or incomplete pictures. I have no
influence on this.
Requirements
============
For usage with Cybergraphics on HiColor/TrueColor screens:
- cybergraphics.library V40 or higher
(Cybergraphics is a Workbench emulation/True color software extension
which is usable in conjunction with several graphic boards as the
Cybervision, Piccolo, SD64, Picasso, Retina-BLTZ3, Spectrum. It is
Copyright by Thomas Sontowski and Frank Mariak.)
- Default Public screen with at least 15Bit color depths
- OS2.04 or higher
- some memory (about 4MByte Fast-RAM should be enough for normal use)
For usage on WB screens with 2 to 256 colors:
- OS3.1 (esp. graphics.library V40)
Future versions might also be usable with OS3.0, but currently OS3.1
is really needed for 2 to 256 color usage
- some memory (about 4MByte Fast-RAM should be enough for normal use)
Shareware modalities
====================
The unregistered demo version of CyberShow has an important restriction:
All pictures will be shown in greyscale only in the demo version!!!
Anyway, I have designed the loading functions so that the speed is the
same as with color loading so that you can check the real speed of my
fast loading functions, but please note: on screens with less than
15Bit color depths the displaying speed of the greyscale pictures could
be higher than that of color pictures due to the fact that the color pen
allocation is different. I have no influence on this; to see the real
speed, try it on HiColor/TrueColor screens (if you have Cybergraphics),
as no color pens are needed and it makes no difference if a greyscale
or true color image is displayed. If you want to see how the color
allocation works with 2 to 256 colors, take a look at CyberTVPlayer,
my freeware animation player for HHsYUVSq sequences (a sample sequence
is included in the CyberTVPlayer archive). CyberTVPlayer uses the same
color reducing functions as CyberShow.
Some other functions are also not available in the demo version (e.g.
fast direct transfer functions and save functions).
*** Special offer ***
The shareware registration fee is currently only 20DM (in europe)
or 18US$ (outside europe). This offer is at least valid upto 31st July 1995.
I have not yet decided if the shareware fee will be higher at a later time,
but it might become a bit higher (e.g. 30DM / 25US$).
Other currencies are possible as well (see registration form for details).
To register send the filled in and signed registration form (included
in this archive) to my address together with the money as banknotes,
a cheque or international postal money order:
My address: Helmut Hoffmann
Rubensstrasse 4
D-41063 Moenchengladbach
Germany
Users in germany can also transfer money to my account (No bank transfers
from outside germany!!).
You can currently contact me by EMail (no registrations by EMail!):
hhoff@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
After registration you will receive a keyfile and the latest version of
this program. The keyfile will enable you to use future demo versions of
this program as full version. The processing of your order can take
some time. Usually it will be very fast (only a few days), but under raw
circumstances it could take some weeks.
Registered users might get another advantage: If I decide to port my
picture management software EGSPhotoAlbum for Cybergraphics and standard
Amigas, registered CyberShow users can register for a lower price.
The fast loading functions of CyberShow are the same as thoose in
EGSPhotoAlbum Professional 5.x.
Special note for ImageFX users: In addition to CyberShow you can order
my FastImageFXModules for a small add-on fee. The loader module is based
on the same functions as CyberShow (only JPeg is missing). A saver
module for some formats is also included.
Version history
===============
1.0 (14th june 95): Initial release (supporting 21 file formats and DataTypes)
2.0 (19th june 95): Added menu for picture windows offering Quit, About, SaveAs,
Picture Info, Next/Previous Picture, Transfer, Downscale
Added fast direct transfer functions to ImageFX, XiPaint
and ArtEffect/PicoPainter
Added saving functions (7 formats) for picture conversions
Added function to go back to previous pictures
Added scrollbars for comfortable scrolling
Implemented faster scrolling methods
Functions like scrolling/resizing now already usable
during the next picture is loaded
Window position will now be left unchanged for newly
opened windows if possible; the scroll position will
be left unchanged between pictures of identical size
Information requesters for unreadable pictures/problems
Preloading is suppressed if not enough memory is available
Support of downscaled loading (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1)
Special Thanks
==============
My special thanks go to:
Kermit Woodall from NOVA-Design for providing me with ImageFX-EGS.
Thomas Dorn for providing me with "EGS-XiPaint beta".
Alexander Pratsch for providing me with ArtEffect (successor of PicoPainter).
Without this support the fast direct transfer functions would
probably have been impossible.
Thomas Sontowski and Frank Mariak for making the TrueColor/HighColor
Workbench possible.
The "Independent JPEG Group" for providing the portable C source code
for JPeg compression/decompression. The JPeg functions are based on
this code (This software is based in part on the work of the independent
JPeg Group).
Hard- and Software used for developing
======================================
This program is written in pure Assembler (using the german assembler
O.M.A. 2.0). Only the lowlevel JPeg functions have been implemented
in C (based on the portable C source of the Independent JPeg Group)
and compiled with the german MaxonC++ 3.0 system.
My development system is:
Amiga 3000/030/25MHz / 18 Megabytes RAM / OS3.1
4MByte Piccolo SD64 (64Bit) graphics board (running in Zorro III-mode).
This program was tested with enforcer and mungwall running.
Disclaimer
==========
This software (program and documentation) is provided "as is" and
comes with no warranty, either expressed or implied.
The author is in no way responsible for any damage or loss that may
occur due to direct or indirect usage of this software. You use
this software entirely at your own risk.
Copyright
=========
This software (program and documentation) is copyright by
Helmut Hoffmann
Rubensstrasse 4
D-41063 Mönchengladbach
Germany
The demo version may be freely distributed and used as
long as the following conditions are met:
1) All files have to be kept together
2) No file may be modified or crunched/packed.
The only official way to distribute this demo packed is the
original .lha archive.
The program may not be disassembled or analysed. The limitations
integrated in the demo version may under no circumstance be removed
or bypassed.
3) Distributors may only charge for the duplication process (including media)
and not for the software. Theese charges may not exceed the following
limits: a) Demo on a PD-disk: 8$ (US-dollar) including
postage&packing (in Germany: 12DM)
b) Demo on a PD-CD-ROM: 50$ (US-dollar) including
postage&packing (in Germany: 75DM)
c) Demo on a BBS/Mailbox/ftp-site or other electronically
callable system: Maximum charge 4$ (US-dollar) (in Germany: 6DM)
for downloading
Anyway, it must be made explictly clear to the buyer, that he does not
pay for the program (demo) itself but only for the duplication service.
4) It is not allowed to distribute the demo with any commercial product
without a written permission by me. One exception is the distribution of
the demo version with products not exceeding the above price limits (e.g.
a cover-disk magazine for 8$ or less).
The following companies have my explicit permission to distribute the
demo with their products: NOVA Design, Ingenieurbüro Helfrich.
If you want to distribute the demo with your commercial product
(hardware or software) write to me for details.
5) The registered version (the keyfile) may not be redistributed. It may only
run on one machine per registration. It is allowed to make a backup copy
of the original disk.
============================= Archive contents =============================
Original Packed Ratio Date Time Name
-------- ------- ----- --------- -------- -------------
628 259 58.7% 19-Jun-95 00:51:20 CyberShow.info
119400 56942 52.3% 19-Jun-95 11:57:54 +cybershow
454 282 37.8% 14-Jun-95 16:46:30 +CyberShow.info
18346 7230 60.5% 19-Jun-95 12:04:06 +CyberShow.ReadMe
477 248 48.0% 14-Jun-95 16:46:30 +CyberShow.ReadMe.info
2743 1139 58.4% 18-Jun-95 03:23:48 +Registration.txt
477 249 47.7% 14-Jun-95 16:48:54 +Registration.txt.info
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------
142525 66349 53.4% 21-Jun-95 23:52:12 7 files